Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: jibidy on March 13, 2008, 03:44:00 PM

Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: jibidy on March 13, 2008, 03:44:00 PM
What guitars have the fastest neck. Wizard II or other nez's? Ive heard the hagstrom super swede has a fast neck.

What actually makes the neck fast?
Is it pretty much flat radius big frets and low action?
Scalloped?
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: PPPMAT on March 13, 2008, 03:51:52 PM
Fastest neck for me are the fender deluxe series strats - nice C profile flat(ish) radius satin backed and of couse maple!

The relly thin necks aren't as quick for me as there is nothing to grab onto (and you need something to grab onto)  :P
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Twinfan on March 13, 2008, 04:05:47 PM
It's totally down to the player in my opinion.  There is no one "fast neck".

For me, it's the PRS Wide Thin or Gibson 60s Slim Taper.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Crazy_Joe on March 13, 2008, 04:12:29 PM
For me it has to be the Wizard necks.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: WezV on March 13, 2008, 04:23:51 PM
well for me its ones with ebony fretboards, an oil type finish on the back of the neck and plain old medium/medium frets

shapes more of a preference thing.. i find thin ibanez D shaped necks to be a hinderance to me  but a couple of mm thicker and slightly rounder and i play much better.. and therefore faster
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: il˙ti on March 13, 2008, 04:28:31 PM
Gibson 50s rounded. Short scale for easier streching, flat fretboard, and the wide string spacing gives more space for vibrato. I wouldn't mind bigger frets though. But that can be done.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Philly Q on March 13, 2008, 05:08:39 PM
I've never really understood the concept of a "fast neck".  :?

The only factors slowing me down are my fingers, not the perceived velocity of the neck.  It just sits there minding its own business.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: PPPMAT on March 13, 2008, 05:27:34 PM
I once had a go on one of those washburn n4 nuno jobs - that was a fast neck alright.

It is down to the individual I'm afraid - I think the only thing that makes a slow neck for evryone is a bad setup
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Spitfire on March 13, 2008, 05:42:30 PM
i liked playing on the neck of my old RG550EX.. wizard II i think... shame it warped!
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: indysmith on March 13, 2008, 06:03:42 PM
Wizard Pro 8)
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Dakine on March 13, 2008, 06:06:21 PM
warrior
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: noodleplugerine on March 13, 2008, 06:16:57 PM
Ebony Fretboard, 24.75" scale length, medium frets and something similar to the ESP profile - Not ridiculously slim, not tree trunk - A good medium.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: maverickf1jockey on March 13, 2008, 06:25:12 PM
The Maverick streetfighter model; thinnest and fastest production neck ever made.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Will on March 13, 2008, 06:32:56 PM
Quote from: Philly Q
I've never really understood the concept of a "fast neck".  :?

The only factors slowing me down are my fingers, not the perceived velocity of the neck.  It just sits there minding its own business.


I agree with you there. Is that good? you say you are awful at guitar, so by your standards, I am too :)

I do find it weird though, I appreciate playing a different guitar and it having a different feel... its supposed to! and shows more versatility in the player :P
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: WezV on March 13, 2008, 06:34:08 PM
Quote from: Philly Q
I've never really understood the concept of a "fast neck".  :?


well for a really bad guitarist like me i know its a fast neck when i automatically start playing faster (i'm very undisciplined you know :oops: ) .. generally thats when they feel really sleek or even slippery
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: opprobrium_9 on March 13, 2008, 06:41:31 PM
Quote from: Crazy_Joe
For me it has to be the Wizard necks.


yep.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: sambo on March 13, 2008, 06:47:38 PM
Quote from: Twinfan

For me, it's the PRS Wide Thin


+1.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Philly Q on March 13, 2008, 06:55:50 PM
Quote from: Will
Quote from: Philly Q
I've never really understood the concept of a "fast neck".  :?

The only factors slowing me down are my fingers, not the perceived velocity of the neck.  It just sits there minding its own business.


I agree with you there. Is that good? you say you are awful at guitar, so by your standards, I am too :)

Don't worry Will, I don't think agreeing with me makes you bad at guitar.  It's not contagious. :wink:
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: AngusYoung01 on March 13, 2008, 08:12:17 PM
Charvel necks are stunningly perfect for me  :D
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Adam.M on March 14, 2008, 02:45:18 AM
Oddly, the fender modern C neck shape seems to be perfect for my hands.

It is indeed down to the player, the thinner the better is ont always the case, especially during prolonged playing, i can play really fast on thinner necks but my hand does not thank me for it.

the fender modern C shape for me is a great trade off between compfort and speed.

a shame, as i dont like the look of fenders but they're all i can play! :D i'll have to pimp mine out and make it sexy.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Scott674 on March 14, 2008, 03:14:35 AM
I like the Wizard II...  I've had a strat my whole playing career, recently got a RG and after playing that non stop for a couple of weeks, the strat feels completely odd, completely different.  I'm going to have to try to lower the action a tich, it feels very akward to play the strat now...
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: pagan7 on March 14, 2008, 08:43:50 PM
For me it's Ibanez Wizard necks and 24 jumbo frets also.
Though if my hands were any smaller  or bigger I might think otherwise
I think it's down to the individual  anatomy of the player as much as it is to the neck specification.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: AngusYoung01 on March 14, 2008, 09:28:42 PM
Quote from: Scott674
I like the Wizard II...  I've had a strat my whole playing career, recently got a RG and after playing that non stop for a couple of weeks, the strat feels completely odd, completely different.  I'm going to have to try to lower the action a tich, it feels very akward to play the strat now...


I've gotten like that with my SG. Its just no where near as nice to play as my Charvel, the necks too fat, strings too close together.... just feels cheap, bizarrely.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: PoshCollins on March 15, 2008, 11:44:51 PM
Shaved Ibanez PGM 300.

 :wink:
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Alex on March 16, 2008, 09:55:28 AM
Some people say that the Ibanez superstrat necks are among the fastest. And they are right to some extent.
"Fast" usually means that the neck is not only highly playable and comfortable, but also very fast in attack and resonating. You don't have to "wait" for the note to ring out. This is a very subtle effect.
For example, I noticed this "slowness" only on my Gibby SG after directly comparing it to the Ibanez RG.

However, usually "fastness" has less to do with the thickness or radius of the neck, but with the material. Harder woods usually resonate quicker. LEss mass is also quicker, therefore thin maple necks or those with walnut between them are more quick to react to your playing.

That said you can always - and will often - encounter good wood on higherpriced instruments which will often be much more responsive than lets say the "lame" mahagony neck on a 300 pound low-budget LesPaul copy.

Many people think such features as a very flat neck, jumbo frets or scalloped neck makes a neck faster for playing. THis is only half-true or not even at all. In fact such features make techniques easier often associated with high-speed shredding: tapping,legatos etc.

So don't confuse "fast neck" with the ability to play fast; it's more how quick the neck reacts to your playing and how fast notes jump of the fretboard.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: noodleplugerine on March 16, 2008, 11:30:05 AM
Quote from: Alex
Some people say that the Ibanez superstrat necks are among the fastest. And they are right to some extent.
"Fast" usually means that the neck is not only highly playable and comfortable, but also very fast in attack and resonating. You don't have to "wait" for the note to ring out. This is a very subtle effect.
For example, I noticed this "slowness" only on my Gibby SG after directly comparing it to the Ibanez RG.

However, usually "fastness" has less to do with the thickness or radius of the neck, but with the material. Harder woods usually resonate quicker. LEss mass is also quicker, therefore thin maple necks or those with walnut between them are more quick to react to your playing.

That said you can always - and will often - encounter good wood on higherpriced instruments which will often be much more responsive than lets say the "lame" mahagony neck on a 300 pound low-budget LesPaul copy.

Many people think such features as a very flat neck, jumbo frets or scalloped neck makes a neck faster for playing. THis is only half-true or not even at all. In fact such features make techniques easier often associated with high-speed shredding: tapping,legatos etc.

So don't confuse "fast neck" with the ability to play fast; it's more how quick the neck reacts to your playing and how fast notes jump of the fretboard.


Personally I think the two most important factors for a fast attack - Is a good hard pick, and an ebony fretboard.

No other wood gives you as sharp an attack - And personally, I feel in terms of shred - Nothing can replace a good ebony board in terms of clarity.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Antag on March 16, 2008, 11:47:07 AM
Jackson necks for me :)

Either of their main profiles - the "Tranditional Charvel" (I think they call it the "Standard" these days) or the "Speed Neck" - are equally good for me.  There's not a huge amount of difference in thickness, both have that really comfortable flat-backed "U" shape, a 12-16 compound radius, flawless finish & fretwork, with nice tall (usually 6000) frets.

I like the PRS Wide/Thin, Gibson 60s (when the frets haven't been installed blindfolded :roll:), Warmoth Std Thin amongst others, but Jackson necks feel to me a cut above everyone else's.

Don't like Ibanez - the straight 16" (& sometimes 17") radius is too flat for comfortable chording & arpeggios on the lower frets. JMO, YMMV etc...
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Antag on March 16, 2008, 11:52:13 AM
Also, I agree with PhillyQ - if you find the neck comfortable, you will play better & faster.

So my preference or Jackson necks is all about comfort, I'm sure some players could play faster on a levelled-off telegraph pole...
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: nfe on March 16, 2008, 03:48:27 PM
I'm quite surprised to see PRS necks getting a mention, I think they're a lot like playing something you bought in Argos for 30 quid.

My Parker Fly Classic is probably the "fastest" neck I've played, which is why it remains my go to guitar for metal, even though I have since bought dearer guitars specifically for that purpose :lol:  :roll:
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: MrBump on March 16, 2008, 05:46:51 PM
Quote
Charvel necks are stunningly perfect for me


Yeah, my Charvel is pretty slick, although it's not Ibanez thin.  In fact, I don't think that it's as comfortable as the Ibanez' machines that I've played.

I think it's a lot more to do with other things, as already mentioned earlier.  Back in the '80s it seemed that people believed that the thinner the neck the greater the speed, but this clearly isn't the case.  Probably due to the ultra thin Ibanez guitars and the shred-endorsees.

Comfortable neck, low action, decent picking technique and (believe it or not) fast fingers.  I think that's what it takes.

Not that I can do it...
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: indysmith on March 16, 2008, 07:44:22 PM
yeah I played one of those Charvel San Dimas guitars at LGS a couple of years ago and remember thinking WOW that's a good neck.
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: AngusYoung01 on March 16, 2008, 08:20:25 PM
Quote from: indysmith
yeah I played one of those Charvel San Dimas guitars at LGS a couple of years ago and remember thinking WOW that's a good neck.


Yup, they are perfect (for me anyway).
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 16, 2008, 09:57:01 PM
Charvel for me too. My model 6 has the compund radius. That's why that spec is going into my Feline Custom.  8)
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: AngusYoung01 on March 16, 2008, 10:13:46 PM
Quote from: Johnny Mac
Charvel for me too. My model 6 has the compund radius. That's why that spec is going into my Feline Custom.  8)


I don't know how they compare to the San Dimas models?
Title: Fastest neck?
Post by: BigK on March 17, 2008, 01:58:12 AM
I love the neck on my LTD stephen carpenter signature I think they call it a thin U, its perfect for my hands not too thin like the ibanez wizards, which i get cramps from playing to long on.